How And When To Wrap Your Trees This Winter

Wrapping trees for the winter is an essential aspect of tree care that shouldn’t be overlooked. As the winter season brings harsh conditions such as freezing temperatures, dry air, and the risk of sunscald, trees – particularly younger ones with thin bark – can be severely affected. This is where the practice of wrapping trees comes in. 

Tree wrapping is a preventative measure wherein an insulating material, such as burlap, is wrapped around the trunk of the tree. This technique serves as a protective layer, shielding the tree from severe weather conditions and pest infestations. By effectively regulating temperature and moisture levels, tree wraps help to preserve the health and longevity of your trees throughout the winter season. In a nutshell, wrapping trees for the winter is a simple yet crucial step in maintaining the beauty and vitality of your landscaping, even in the face of the harshest winters.

What Damage Wrapping Trees For The Winter Prevents?

Winter conditions can inflict a range of damages on your trees, some of which may not be immediately noticeable but can have long-term effects on the health and appearance of your green friends. Among the most common problems are sunscald, frost cracks, winter drying or desiccation, winter burn, animal damage, branch breakage, root damage, or more. Awareness of these potential issues is the first step in safeguarding your trees against the harsh winter weather.

Sunscald

This type of winter injury, known as sunscald, is characterized by discolored, cracked, or peeling bark on the tree. It occurs when daytime temperatures are warm enough for the tree to come out of dormancy, triggering metabolic activity, but the sudden drop in temperature at night causes the bark to split. Sunscald is a common phenomenon that primarily affects young or thin-barked trees, leaving them vulnerable to further damage from pests and diseases. 

Frost Cracks

These vertical cracks in the trunk, known as frost cracks, occur as a result of sudden drops in temperature during winter. As the temperature rapidly declines, the outer layer of the trunk contracts more quickly than the inner layer. This drastic difference in contraction leads to the formation of cracks that expand during the day due to sunlight exposure and contract at night as the temperature drops further.

Winter Drying

This condition, also known as desiccation, is a common issue faced by trees, particularly evergreens, during the winter months. When the ground freezes, trees are unable to draw sufficient water from the soil. This, combined with the dry winter air and wind, can cause the trees to lose more water through their leaves or needles than they can absorb, resulting in a drying out or browning of their foliage. Wrapping trees for the winter can help prevent this condition.

Animal Damage

Animal damage can significantly jeopardize the health of your trees during the winter. Wildlife, such as rabbits, deer, and mice, driven by the scarcity of food, may resort to gnawing on the bark, roots, and twigs of the trees. This behavior can lead to substantial damage, exposing the tree’s underlying layers and making it susceptible to diseases and pests. Wrapping trees for the winter plays a pivotal role in safeguarding against this kind of injury.

Branch Breakage

Winter months often bring with them heavy snowfall and ice, both of which can prove detrimental for tree branches, especially if they’ve not been properly pruned or maintained. The excess weight from accumulated snow and ice can cause branches to snap, leaving open wounds on the tree. These injuries make the tree more susceptible to pests and diseases, accelerate decay, and can eventually lead to a decline in overall tree health.

Root Damage

Trees can also suffer from root damage in the winter due to the repeated freezing and thawing of soil. This fluctuation in temperature causes the soil to expand and contract, which can disturb the tree’s root system, leading to instability and making it difficult for the tree to absorb necessary nutrients and water. Just as with branches, a tree’s roots are crucial to its overall health and stability.

Types Of Material For Wrapping Trees For The Winter

When it comes to winterizing your trees, the type of material you use for wrapping them can make a significant difference. Among the commonly used materials are polypropylene fabric, paper, corrugated cardboard, and burlap. Each of these materials comes with its unique set of properties, benefits, and drawbacks, impacting the level of protection it can provide to your trees during the harsh winter months. A brief overview of these materials can help you make a more informed decision about which type of tree wrap would be the most suitable choice for your specific needs.

Polypropylene Fabric

Polypropylene fabric is a widely used material for wrapping trees, providing an effective shield against the harsh winter elements. It is known for its elasticity, which enables a snug fit around the tree, creating an excellent barrier against wind and frost. As a synthetic material, it has a high resistance to wear and tear, ensuring durability throughout the cold season. One unique attribute of polypropylene fabric is its ability to degrade over time, preventing the risk of girdling that can adversely affect the tree’s health. However, its bright white color may visually stand out in your landscape before the snow covers the ground.

Paper

Paper, specifically crinkled paper tree wrap, is another common material used for winter tree protection. This wrap type typically consists of several layers of craft paper bonded with an asphalt-based adhesive, providing a tough shield against winter weather conditions. The crinkled design allows the paper to conform to the tree’s form, ensuring a tight, secure wrap. The accessibility and ease of use of paper wrap make it a viable option for those seeking cost-effective solutions for wrapping trees during the winter.

Corrugated Cardboard

Corrugated cardboard is another material often used for wrapping trees for the winter. This material, akin to the one used in box manufacturing, is processed into thinner and more flexible layers and then cut into strips suitable for wrapping around trees. One of the advantages of corrugated cardboard is that its color closely resembles the bark of many trees, allowing for a more natural look in your landscape. However, it’s worth noting that this type of material might not perform optimally in wet areas, as it may not hold up well to persistent moisture or precipitation.

Burlap

Burlap, although not as commonly used as a tree wrap, is a material that is readily available and inexpensive. It’s the same coarse fabric that is often used to make sacks or to wrap tree root balls. Easily found in craft sections of stores, burlap can be cut into strips suitable for wrapping around trees. While it is cost-effective and easy to source, it does come with its share of drawbacks. For instance, handling burlap can create quite a mess due to its unfinished edges.

How To Use Tree Wrap In Easy Steps

Here’s how you can use tree wrap in simple steps:

1. Purchase the right tree wrap for your specific tree type. Different species may require different types of wraps.
2. Start at the base of your tree. The initial wrapping should be snug but not too tight as to restrict the tree.
3. Gradually work your way up the tree, making sure to overlap the tree wrap by about a third with each winding.
4. Always wrap in an upward direction, moving towards the bottom-most branches of the tree.
5. Once you reach the bottom-most branches, cut the wrap.
6. Secure it at the top using a staple or small tack, but avoid anything that wraps around the tree tightly (like twine or wire ties), as this can cause harmful girdling.
7. An alternative securing method is to tuck the wrap back under the topmost three or four layers, then pull it taut.

When To Start Wrapping Trees For The Winter

The timing for applying tree wrapping is crucial to ensure its effectiveness in protecting your trees during winter. Begin wrapping trees for the winter when fall comes to an end and the temperature starts to consistently drop close to freezing. This timing is typically late fall or early winter, depending on your geographical location. The wrap should stay on through winter, providing a protective shield against harsh weather conditions. 

As spring approaches and the last frost has passed, it’s time to remove the wrapping. This prevents pests from taking refuge under the wrap and also avoids potential problems such as girdling and abrasions. Remember, the goal is not just to protect your trees in winter but also to ensure their health and vitality in the ensuing growing season.

Archer Tree Service Is Here For All Your Tree Service Needs

Maintaining healthy trees and adequately preparing them for winter is paramount to their longevity and overall health. Winterizing your trees, particularly through wrapping trees for the winter, can provide a critical shield against harsh weather conditions, including freezing temperatures, heavy snow, and strong winds. This protective measure can help prevent bark splitting and sunscald, both of which can negatively impact your tree’s health. With the right care and attention, your trees can flourish year-round, enhancing the charm and appeal of your property.

Archer Tree Service is proud to offer a comprehensive range of tree care services to homeowners in central Georgia, including but not limited to Macon, Augusta, Milledgeville, and Sandersville. Our dedicated team of experts is fully equipped to serve all your tree care needs, whether it’s tree maintenance, pruning, trimming, or removal. Our knowledge and experience enable us to provide efficient, professional tree services to ensure your trees are well-prepared and protected for the winter season. Allow us to handle all your tree-related needs to keep them healthy and enhance the beauty of your property.